"we are the worst Yeshiva Girls ever."- hd

Current location: bottom bunk of a girls dorm-style room, Sky Hostel, 34 Ben Yehuda, Tel Aviv. Approximately five minutes walk from the sea. Pretty exciting that I picked up wi-fi.
How did I get here? that is the story...

Since I am flying to Berlin this evening, which is Motzei Shabbos, I would have needed to get a cab just as shabbos was ending in Jerusalem in order to make my flight. Probably would take a bit of time, or be very costly, neither of which appealled to me, what with how calmly I handle getting to an airport on time and all. So I figured the logical thing would be to spend the weekend in Tel Aviv, and my two partners in crime, Hayley and Anna, decided to take a mini holiday from the yeshiva and join me thursday and friday (but of course, making it back to Jerusalem for Shabbos.)
We arrived to the central bus station around 7, but couldn't yet go to where we were couchsurfing for the night, and as I had arranged to see a good friend, that was what we did first. He picked us up at the trainstation, we all had a lovely dinner, my friend broke up with a guy for Hayley (because the guy didn't speak English, and often used his elderly uncle as a translator), and then my friend drove us to our abode for the night.

Our hosts were very nice, three pilots in the airforce. We got the chance to talk to them about the actions that they do, the methods they are taught; one spoke of how meticulous they are truly trained to be in avoiding any civilian fatalities when on a mission, but this is a conversation for another post.
The six of us all went out, bar hopping a bit. At one place, I felt a bit of homesickness for the first time--at the bar there were big tvs with artsy images and such showing, and one piece on the loop was a video taken from a car, driving through new york. at one point it drove up 4th avenue, past the Kmart on Astor place, and nearly right past the Palladium.

Lessons from this night: Bar tenders in Tel Aviv make very strong drinks. Israeli men enjoy pretending to do american accents, especially when a bit drunk, and are often not very good at them. Oh, and Tel Aviv is awesome.

Bright and early the next morning (11:20--still AM!) the three yeshiva girls donned our bikinis and trekked to the beach. A while later, Hayley and I- who hadn't yet eaten- decided to go into town and grab some brunch. As we were walking away from the beach, still just carrying our shirts, Hayley realized that 'we are the worst yeshivah girls ever'.
Reasons why:
1) slept at the apartment of guys
2)wearing bikinis on a mixed beach
3)being at a very openly gay beach
4)going to bars
5)walking around in bathing suits
6)getting lunch- one of us had turkey and gouda, the other roast beef and cheese!

The sandwiches were from this little kiosk-thing on Ben Gurion--we had been told they were the best, now I believe it.
Shortly thereafter, Anna and Hayley left to go back to Jerusalem for Shabbos with the Gestetners (which I do regret missing), and as our hosts were all leaving for the remainder of the weekend, I was hostel bound, bringing me to where I am now.
Last night, after checking in and settling in, I decided I wanted to go back to beach and swim in the sea at night. A friend joined me, and came prepared, bringing leftover chocolate rice krispies and wine from a recent party. Swimming and sitting on the beach is fun, especially at night. A big difference between New York and Tel Aviv: TA has stars at night. Lots of them.
Today, I am going to be picked up by my cousin (whom I have never met) and go to a family lunch in kfar saba (to meet the rest of my newly known family).
see you in berlin!